The Denmark international played under de Boer at former club Ajax and left a lasting impression on the Dutch legend with a string of excellent performances.

"At Ajax, Christian was already performing at the top, but watching him, his speed of operation has gone up even more", De Boer told Voetbal International.

"When he worked and played with us, we were in tune with his way of moving and especially running. Therefore he became faster and more agile.”

"And in England, you see that his strengths, vision and slick passes, have only improved."

Eriksen has become one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season and his run of form since the turn of the year has been greeted with widespread acclaim.

In particular, the 22-year-old playmaker has developed an incredible knack of scoring winning goals late on in matches, helping his side maintain their push for a top four spot.

Last week, the Danish Footballer of the Year netted two goals – including a 30-yard free-kick – in a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United, a result which saw Spurs set up a League Cup final showdown with Chelsea.

His importance to the team is ever-growing, and de Boer now feels his former prodigy is comparable to fellow Premier League playmakers Ozil and Oscar.

"Like many boys in a top competition, Christian has become stronger. In terms of potential, he certainly fits amongst the ranks of Gotze, Ozil, Oscar. His development is clear to see,” de Boer added.

Tom Thorogood

I'm a 27 year old language teacher and writer based out in Mexico with a passion for football and swimming. I like to focus on the top European Leagues, especially La Liga, as well as the footballing development in Central and South America. My favourite teams include Derby County, Barcelona and Jagaures de Chiapas.